This is a private application open only to those who hold Exhibiting Membership status with the Guild of Artists & Artisans. ​If you have questions about this application or your Guild status, please contact Nicole McKay, artist relations director, nicole@theguild.org or 734.662.3382, ext. 301.

Please do not complete and submit this application is you do not meet the following criteria:

I am an Exhibiting Member of The Guild of Artists & Artisans. (The Guild’s Standards Review Application is open only to those artists who are members-in-good-standing of The Guild of Artists & Artisans and hold Exhibiting Membership status.)

General Information

The Guild’s Standards Review of Exhibiting MembersThe Guild’s Standards Review Application is open only to those artists who are members-in-good-standing of The Guild of Artists & Artisans and hold Exhibiting Membership status.

In order to be eligible for the Guild’s Ann ArborSummer Art Fair, Guild Exhibiting Members must pass the Standards Review (jury) every three years. The purpose of the Standards review is to ensure that all work exhibited achieves the required level of quality and that Guild rules are followed in the production of the work.

Fees & Eligibility

Guild Exhibiting Members are required to participate in the 2018 Standards Review in order to maintain eligibility for the 2019, 2020 and 2021 Ann Arbor Summer Art Fairs. There is no fee for Guild Exhibiting Members to take part in the review; it is a benefit of Guild membership. Exhibiting Members must take part in the Standards Review to maintain eligibility for the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair.

Deadlines

The Applications will be accepted online until midnight EST Monday, September 10, 2018.

If you are unable to submit an online application, please contact The Guild for additional options, 734.662.3382, ext. 301.

Online Application Procedures for the Guild’s Standards Review

Complete application form

Submit four (4) NEW work images and one (1) booth image with work displayed

If you are applying in two or more categories, please submit an application for each medium

If you are applying in a non-jewelry category but wish to exhibit a small amount of jewelry in your medium (no more than 15 percent of booth), please submit a separate application for jewelry.

2018 Standards Review Timeline

September 10: Online jury deadline
September 19-20: Standards Review (Jury)
September 25: Email notifications of result

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the Standards Review, please contact:

Through the enforcement of its Exhibition Standards, The Guild seeks to maintain and increase fair attendees’ and exhibiting artists’ confidence in the credibility and authenticity of Guild events and to protect participating artists from unfair competition. An impartial and equal enforcement of the Exhibition Standards ensures these goals will be met and an appropriate atmosphere will be created for the sale of artwork. The participating artist is responsible for being in compliance with The Guild’s Exhibition Standards. What constitutes being in or out of compliance with the Exhibition Standards, in all cases, will be determined by The Guild. The decision ofThe Guild is final.

Exhibition Standards:

All work must be the original design of the artist; the essential work required to make each finished piece must be done by the artist. The artist is expected to be the major contributor of the time required in the essential production of the work. Helpers or assistants do not replace the artist in the production of a piece. They are permitted to assist in the non-essential and more mundane processes that go into the production of a finished piece. The only exceptions allowed are defined in Exhibition Standards #2.

No more than 25 percent of the work in an exhibitor’s booth may be reproductions; this policy applies to all media. Each piece must be clearly marked with the word “reproduction.” Exhibitors must use the word reproduction; other terms, including “print,” may not be used to refer to a reproduction. The presentation of the reproductions must play a visually subordinate role to the entirety of the exhibitor’s display. Reproductions of the artist’s own original work are the only reproductions allowed within the artist’s booth. Determination of what constitutes an original or a reproduction is determined by The Guild of Artists & Artisans. The decision of The Guild is final.

All work must be safe, non‑toxic, and fit for its intended use. If any work requires special or limited use, this will be fully disclosed and explained to the public.

Any commercially produced parts used in a work must play a subordinate role and may not be sold separately.

A mass‑produced, cluttered, or commercial appearance to an artist display is not permitted. Limited multiples of items may be displayed where color and size are varied and are required to show clearly the range of items available for sale to fair attendees. However, if the display presents an overwhelming number of multiples resulting in a commercial appearance, as determined by the Standards Committee, on-site adjustments will be requested and compliance will be required.

The artwork exhibited by the artist at the event must match the quality and balance of the images submitted to either the Standards Review or the event jury. The artwork exhibited at the event by the artist must also match the scope and volume of the images submitted for either the Standards Review or for the event jury. An artist is not permitted to submit images presenting complex and detailed artwork but come to the event with a large quantity (more than 15 percent of the work displayed) of simple work. If artists wish to display a large quantity of simple work, it must be presented in the same proportion as presented in the review or jury images.

Note: The Guild understands that small work can be an important and essential sale item for an artist, therefore, an artist may display up to 15 percent of small work without a separate review or jury image. The small work must be clearly shown in the artist’s booth image. In addition, it is also understood (and encouraged) that experimentation with new work is part of the creative process. Ten percent of an artist’s display may be devoted to new work, without a separate review or jury image, if the new work is within the same medium and if the new work is of comparable quality to the artwork presented in the artist’s review or jury images.

Exemptions

If an artist believes his or her work transcends these standards, the artist is welcomed to apply to The Guild’s Standards Committee for determination of eligibility. The request must be made in writing at least 60 days prior to the fair for which the determination is requested. There is no guarantee that an exemption will be granted. The decision of The Guild is final.

Exhibition Standards: Ineligible Work

The Standards Committee, in an effort to help artists determine whether their specific artwork complies with The Guild’s Exhibition Standards, has prepared the following list of artwork that does not meet the Standards requirements. This list is a guideline to help artists determine whether or not their artwork is Standards eligible; it is neither exhaustive, nor is unacceptable work limited to the items listed.

Ineligible work includes but is not limited to:

Jewelry

Cut coin jewelry

Enamels on manufactured representational copper shapes

Jewelry made of manufactured components

Jewelry made from flatware

Beads, not made by the artist. There are only two exemptions to this rule:

If the beads are not made by the artist, they must clearly play a subordinate role in the finished piece; and

The requirement that beads must be made by the artist does not apply in the technique known as bead weaving, however, commercial bead weaving kits are not permitted.

Stud earrings in commercial settings

Pearls whether in necklaces or bracelets. Note: Simple-strung or hand knotted-strung pearls are not eligible even if the pearls have been simple-strung or hand knotted-strung by the artist. Pearl necklaces and/or bracelets may be included if they have an ornament or fastener that is both intricate and a focal point of the piece, handmade by the artist and is of greater value than the piece from which it is hung or attached. Drilled pearls or pearls that have been altered, but not by the artist, are not eligible; such pearls are considered to be purchased beads and are subject to all purchased bead rules. Pearl earrings are permitted as long as the setting has been designed and handmade by the artist.

Clothing

T-shirts, sweat shirts, hats, and other commercially manufactured clothes, no matter how embellished by the artist

No manufactured seams allowed in clothing blanks and upcycled clothing, including ties, pillow covers, etc. Scarves made from scarf blanks are limited to 20% of the booth.

Manufactured belt buckles sold separately from the belts

Other

Manufactured tiles with a design as a major component of the piece

Enamels on manufactured representational copper shapes

Commercially made glassware, flatware or serving pieces no matter how embellished by the artist

Alphabet photography, i.e. photographs composed of images representing letters of the alphabet and using those images to spell out names, dates, birthday greetings, etc.

Dried flowers, in groups, arrangements, or bouquets

Wreaths

Anything made in a commercial mold, in any medium

Anything made using a commercial kit, in any medium

Tole painting

Dough art

Country crafts

CDs and tapes

Food

Henna

Beauty Products

Candles

Violations of Exhibition Standards

Violations of the Exhibition Standards will be handled by the Standards Committee and designated Guild Staff. At all Guild fairs, every attempt will be made to inform artists as soon as possible of violations by issuing a Standards Warning. This warning gives the exhibiting artist a chance to correct the problem without penalty as long as the correction is immediate. If the problem is not corrected or if the violation is a continuing problem, the artist will be subject to stronger consequences that may include loss of exhibiting privileges and/or being required to close his or her booth immediately, vacate the booth space at the end of the event day and forfeit all booth fees. If the Committee is not able to resolve a problem during the fair, the Committee will review the situation and determine any necessary action following the event.

The Standards Committee will make a good faith effort to inform artists of any potential standards problems and what steps to take to correct the problems following the Standards Review or the event jury. However, it is the responsibility of the artists to comply with the Exhibition Standards.

There are two rules that are considered to be inviolable under any circumstances:

Engaging in “buy-sell” practices, that is, buying the work done by another and selling it as your own; or

Selling commercially produced reproductions of the work of another artist.

If it is discovered that an artist has engaged in either of these practices, that artist will lose Guild exhibiting privileges immediately and permanently.

Appeals

Artists may appeal to the Standards Committee after violation notifications. Appeals must be submitted in writing within 30 days of the artist receiving the violation notification. The artist may request to present the appeal in person before the Standards Committee; in person appeals are limited to 15 minutes. Notification of approval or denial of the appeal will be sent to the artist, in writing, as soon as possible after the decision has been made. The decision of The Guild is final.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the Standards Review, please contact:

This is a private application open only to those who hold Exhibiting Membership status with the Guild of Artists & Artisans. If you have questions about this application or your Guild status, please contact Nicole McKay, artist relations director, nicole@theguild.org or 734.662.3382, ext. 301.

By applying to the Standards Review, the artist agrees to and confirms the following items:
1) The artist is responsible for the design and execution of his or her artwork according to The Guild’s Exhibition Standards;
2 ) The artist has read, understands and will abide by The Guild’s Exhibition Rules;
3) The artist understands that The Guild of Artists & Artisans is not liable for loss or damage to artwork or personal injury;
4) Artists will not be part of any legal action against The Guild or its personnel and volunteers;
5) Artists submitting and application holds Exhibiting Membership Status with the Guild of Artists & Artisans. If an artist applies and does not meet this requirement, then their application will not be reviewed by the jury; and .6) Artists understand and agree that The Guild may use images of their artwork in advertising, public relations and promotion including but not limited to print and electronic media including the Guild’s web and Facebook presence.